I am so excited to see Julie vs Julia. Nichole told me it is a blockbuster action flick where Julia Roberts takes on Julie Andrews in an all out explosive death match. Should be amazing.

The Ugly Truth is a movie starring the girl from Knocked Up and Leonidas. As a romantic comedy, it is better than most. I am not a supporter of the genre, but I don’t begrudge those who fancy such faire. I had some decent laughs and discovered that Katherine Heigl is a really talented comedienne. I also remembered Gerald Butler is a decent actor- being not only the scourge of the Persians, but also the stand in father in Dear Frankie.

Here is the basic idea of the film. Heigl plays a local TV morning show producer who is as rigid and principled in her approach to producing as she is in her approach to love. Unfortunately she is not very successful in either role. Leonidas, The host of a breakout cable access show may be the answer to her ratings problem, but can she handle his misogynist behavior? His straightforward approach to male female relationships is as offensive as it is effective, so in desperation Heigl turns to Leonidas in an attempt to land the perfect man. Can she follow his rules? Is that what he really wants?

While not burdened with an overabundance of depth, this film delivers a fairly unique story that avoids many of the Romantic Comedy clichés. This means no airport chase scenes, no tragic betrayals or subsequent proofs of affection. It was a simple story that didn’t insult the intelligence of the audience. The humor is a little crass, but no more than what you would expect from the trailer. Long story short, if you liked the trailer, you will like the movie.

Best Part: Comedic energy between the leads – 8/10
Worst Part: Not much depth – 4/10
Overal Score: 6/10

In Funny People, Adam Sandler wants to touch your heart- with his penis.

You may have seen the trailer and thought, “This movie seems to be an intellectual comedy focusing on the struggles of life in a comedic manner.”  You would be mistaken. This film is a movie is about how a director, when trusted with a risky movie due to previous success, can take a boat full of up and coming comedians and steer it right into an iceberg, leaving them to drown and freeze slowly on the silver screen.

Upon walking in and sitting down, the motion picture began. The production companies, distributors,  and studios all flashed their logos- and then, Sandler. I leaned to my wife as a chill ran up my spine. “Wait a minute. This is an Adam Sandler movie.”  The movie theater doors slammed shut before a metal bar slid indelicately across the rusted door’s handles. A wolf howled at the crackling lightning, and I realized it was too late.

Now I realize they clearly indicated Sandler was in this film, but for a fleeting moment I believed he would simply be a part of the film, a smaller part of a greater whole. How foolish was I? Adam Sandler can’t be a part of a film, he always becomes the film- it always becomes exclusively about him. If Adam Sandler was added to the cast of Full House, they would have to retitle it The Sandler Show. This wasn’t just any Sandler, it was Emotional Sandler. Two and a Half hours of introspection interspersed with Grandmotherly Yiddish accents.

Seeing him on the screen with Seth Rogan and Jonah Hill reminds me of when Michael Jordan came out of retirement to get out run by younger players. The only difference is that at one point, Jordan was arguably the best basketball player in history. Comparatively, Adam Sandler is arguably the most famous Hanukkah songwriter. Please do not confuse that previous remark as even a tacit or passing positive assessment of the young crowds performances. I wish I could say they didn’t try- but it appears they did. I wouldn’t be suprised if this film ends up hurting Rogan and Apatow longterm.

If it fails however, it isn’t for lack of penis jokes. Penis jokes and akward moments are the brick and mortar of this film. You are never more than 1 minute away from a penis joke in this particular comedy. I understand that the penis is pretty funny, but after a while- you would gladly trade a hundred of those awkwardly homosexual interchanges between Sandler and Rogan for a 6 year old’s made up knock knock joke. To simulate the experience of watching this film, simply add the words ” Also, Penises” to the end of every sentence on this blog.

The plot is as follows. A famous comedian hires an up and comer to be his personal assistant after he finds out he may soon die of a rare blood disease. The assistant learns much from his famous boss’s bad example, especially about the importance of relationships, love, and family. Also, Penises.

The greatest display of talent came when a 12 year old girl sings “Memories” from Cats in a home movie. The funniest moment was an interchange between Emeniem and Ray Romano. Neither had any real impact on the plot or main characters of the film, which  may be a part of the appeal.

In closing, this movie is titled “Funny People”, and it delivers. There are funny people in this movie. Funny People being Funny? Woah there, don’t go making assumptions.

Best Part: Many Cameos 7/10

Worst Part: Length to Depth Ratio 1/10

Overall Score: 3/10

I don’t know much about cars. Every year or so I get an urge to become a motörhead, an urge quickly erased after spending hours getting engine grease off of my hands. I am going to jiffy lube to get my oil changed. I know that I lose a dozen or so man points for doing this, but you know what? I don’t care. I built my own computer, you don’t see me thumbing my nose at your Dell. I don’t need to buttress my ego by scoffing at your Gateway. I will not furl my brow at your Acer, nor shall I frown upon your Hewlitt Packard.

If having a corporate entity change my oil makes me less of a man, explain your McDonalds, oh bastian of masculine power. I ask about your Dominos, and your silence is deafening. Libel me for my lubricant liasons, and I shall question your populist potable, Bud Lite.

I guess what I’m saying is this, call me a sissy for having someone else change my oil, and I’ll whine about it on my blog.